Police: Lincoln Woman Stole Money from Elderly Woman’s Account

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln woman who translated bank information into English for an elderly woman has been accused of stealing more than $13,000 from her.

Lincoln police say 19-year-old Martha M. Rik was arrested Thursday on suspicion of theft by deception and identity theft. Court records do not list an attorney.

The 64-year-old woman contacted authorities in May to report that money was missing from her bank account. Police say she suspected Rik, a woman who translated information that bankers were saying to her into English.

Rik is accused of stealing more than $12,000 from the woman’s bank account between December and May. She is also accused of opening a credit card in the woman’s name and spending nearly $1,600.